Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk

Amazon.com
Who would have imagined that the missing link between Miles Davis and Portishead would be a pasty Brit band whose synth-driven hits show up from time to time on rock-of-the-'80s collections? For those only familiar with MTV hits like "Talk Talk" and "It's My Life," this compilation is the beginning of a revelation. Talk Talk mastermind Mark Hollis is an eccentric genius whose hook-laden hits hide an equally satisfying catalog of art-rock experimentation. As Talk Talk evolved, Hollis (opting for a cut-up technique that anticipated the Pro-Tools revolution) ditched synth-pop and produced some of the most sublime late-night records ever. Think Stevie Winwood tranquilized by listening to too much Blue Nile and you start to get the picture. But fair warning: buy this album, and there's a good chance you'll end up purchasing the whole catalog. --Bill Forman

Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk,Talk Talk,Capitol,Alternative Pop/Rock,New Romantic,New Wave,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Post-Punk,Rock,Rock/Pop,Synth Pop

Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk

Average customer rating:

Evolution: Pop Gets Artsy
This Music Defines the 80's
Deeper than you might think
music the way I remember it
Get to know Talk Talk

Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk
Talk Talk
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Psychedelic Furs - Greatest Hits
Look of Love: The Very Best of ABC
Ultimate Collection
Thompson Twins - Greatest Hits
The Best of Simple Minds

ASIN: B000002UWE
Release Date: 1990-10-16

Tracks:

Today
Talk Talk
My Foolish Friend
Such A Shame
Dum Dum Girl
It's My Life
Give It Up
Living In Another World
Life's What You Make It
Happiness Is Easy
I Believe In You
Desire
Life's What You Make It (Live)
Tomorrow's Started (Live)

Amazon.com

Who would have imagined that the missing link between Miles Davis and Portishead would be a pasty Brit band whose synth-driven hits show up from time to time on rock-of-the-'80s collections? For those only familiar with MTV hits like "Talk Talk" and "It's My Life," this compilation is the beginning of a revelation. Talk Talk mastermind Mark Hollis is an eccentric genius whose hook-laden hits hide an equally satisfying catalog of art-rock experimentation. As Talk Talk evolved, Hollis (opting for a cut-up technique that anticipated the Pro-Tools revolution) ditched synth-pop and produced some of the most sublime late-night records ever. Think Stevie Winwood tranquilized by listening to too much Blue Nile and you start to get the picture. But fair warning: buy this album, and there's a good chance you'll end up purchasing the whole catalog. --Bill Forman

Customer Reviews:

Evolution: Pop Gets Artsy.......2007-02-16

This compilation is a wonderful introduction to Talk Talk. In fact, it's a wonderful compilation, period. It allows the listener to clearly feel the way in which the band evolved from purveyors of standard-issue synth-pop to more art-oriented musicians. By not screwing up the chronology, the set has a wonderful sense of flow that makes the experience all the more wonderful.

And the music is great, too. The early material is poppy fare that's quite in tune with the times. "Today" and "Talk Talk" are sing-along ditties that anyone with a sense of fun can instantly appreciate. The next few tracks possess a slight moodiness that serve as a precursor for the ambient sensibilities that are to come. Then, we get the hit "It's My Life." It's the apex of their pop sensibilities, as far as I'm concerned. You can't top that track. It's impossible.

As such, the music changes direction following that song. "Life's What You Make It," despite its popularity, is still a bit of a plodder. "Happiness is Easy," despite its kids chorus, is artier than most of the material that preceded it. And then things get even more abstract. "I Believe In You" is beautiful, as is "Desire." However, these tracks inhabit a totally different plane than the first tracks on CD. These are mood pieces, intended to establish an atmosphere rather than make the day-glo kiddies dance. Hollis is still there to provide insight, but he's merely adding colours to a picture as opposed to telling a story.

And then there are the two live tracks. That's the way to make a compilation: Chronologically-arranged studio tracks with some live stuff tacked at the end. I don't care for "Life's What You Make It," so I could've done without it. But thankfully, the compilers decided to give us a miraculous version of "Tomorrow's Started." That track can move my soul like no other. It's a highlight, and a great closer.

Overall, this collection will appeal to a wide audience. The new wave kids will like the early stuff. Pretentious arty kids will like the latter material. Your average Joe will probably enjoy the whole thing, although he might get a bit bored at the end. That's okay, though; this is a great primer that present a great band. Sure, there are a few less-than-perfect tracks scattered about, but in the end, this CD has mass appeal and is totally worth purchasing.

This Music Defines the 80's.......2007-01-22

I never heard of this band until recently and im a huge 80s fan but i was also born in the 80's. I must have missed these guys. As a reviewer said, they were a more 'obscure' band. I came across this CD as a recomendation and heard a bit of talk talk and bought it. The first thing I thought when I put this album in and started listening to it was this would be the CD you would want to play in the future if someone ever wanted to know what 80s music was like and the whole era itself. Its not just that but if you listen to the music and lyrics its more than just an 80s band. They actually have good songs and lyrics. My favorite tracks are Its my Life and Talk Talk. I recommend this CD to any fan of 80s music. They have a distinctive sound.

Deeper than you might think.......2006-03-09

If you only remember Talk Talk from their MTV success days, you will be surprised by the range and depth of this record. I love "Today" and "It's My Life," they were great 80's synth-pop-dance tracks, the latter of course recently remade by No Doubt. The first half of this disc contains the more easily accessible material from the early albums, but from the very beginning one can see Talk Talk eager to break out of the synth-pop mold. As Talk Talk matured, their records became less pop-oriented, more textured and nuanced. There is a lot of great music here, none of it fitting into any preconceived mold of what pop music is supposed to be. Highly recommended

music the way I remember it.......2006-01-30

These are some of the great songs from my college days, and since we're listening to digital music now rather than albums, the music is so much richer than what I remember. I'm glad I bought this one.

Get to know Talk Talk.......2006-01-24

Once people get over the 80's shame, forever linked with gated snares and haircuts, they will hear clearly that some of the best and most innovative music was written in that era. Standing in the midst of this was Mark Hollis and Talk Talk. This band used the flavour of the 80's as a carrier for their well crafted hooks and heart wrenching melodies, sung with the honesty of Hollis to produce such classics as It's my Life and My foolish friend. Anybody who compares these songs to Duran Duran clearly isn't listening well enough. But Talk Talk didn't stop there. They went on to produce jazz influenced albums that started off with the masterpiece, Colours of spring, with backing by Steve Winwood, and towards more obtuse but critically acclaimed offerings such as Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock. You really can't go wrong with Talk Talk except, as others have mentioned, you might end up buying the entire catalogue. Go for it. Enrich your soul.

Average customer rating:

Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk
Talk Talk
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Instead
The Very Best of Echo & the Bunnymen: More Songs to Learn and Sing
X-Men - The Last Stand (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000LZ6DM8
Release Date: 2007-04-02

Tracks:

Today
Talk Talk
My Foolish Friend
Such a Shame
Dum Dum Girl
It's My Life
Give It Up
Living in Another World
Life's What You Make It
Happiness Is Easy
I Believe in You
Desire

Tracks:

Today [DVD]
Talk Talk [DVD][Version]
My Foolish Friend [DVD]
Such a Shame [DVD]
Dum Dum Girl [DVD][Take]
It's My Life [DVD]
Life's What You Make It [DVD]
Living in Another World [DVD]
Give It Up [DVD]
I Believe in You [DVD]

Album Description

Import only CD/DVD (PAL/Region 0) pressing features 12 tracks on the audio disc, all of them were hits for them in UK while the bonus DVD features music videos to all of their nine singles along with two alternate versions of 'Talk Talk' and 'Dum Dum Girl'. EMI. 2007. * Please note you will need an All Code DVD player to view.

Album Details

Talk Talk were Formed in North London in 1981 by Mark Hollis with Bassist Paul Webb, Drummer Lee Harris, and Keyboardist Simon Brenner (Later Replaced by Tim Friese-greene, which also Signalled the End of their Early Electronic Sound). 1982 Brought a Support Slot with Duran Duran, and the Album 'the Party's Over', but 1983 was the Breakthrough Year with the Album 'it's My Life'. The Album features Nine UK Hit Singles Including the Biggest Hits 'today', the Insistent and Expansive 'life's What You Make It' and 'it's My Life' Which, in 2003 it was Covered as a Very Successful Swan Song for No Doubt. Comes in a Brilliant Box which Includes a 12 Page Booklet and Sight and Sound Sticker.